Keep it simple,Shirov

By Malcolm Pein

12:01AM BST 10 Oct 2008

England’s leading amateur player GM Luke McShane was back in action playing for Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga at the weekend. As its name suggests, the chess team has links with the football club which competes in the Champions League. McShane played on board one ahead of three of the top Ukrainian players and drew both his games. Baden Baden, the title holders, have announced an awesome squad with thirteen of the world’s top 100 players that includes Vishy Anand, Magnus Carlsen Alexey Shirov, Peter Svidler with Michael Adams on board five when they are at full strength.

A couple of quick wins for Baden Baden in round 1.

A Shirov – L Cyborowski

Bundesliga

Philidor's Defence

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.g4 (This move could almost be described as insulting but White's results with it are good)

After three straight wins Peter Svidler took a breather in the fourth round of the Russian Championship Superfinal at Moscow and drew his game in fourteen moves but holds the lead on 3.5/4.

The 1st World Mind Sports Games is underway in Beijing. In addition to chess there are Bridge, Go, Draughts and Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) tournaments. The first gold medal went to world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk of Russia who won the Women's Blitz. England has a representative squad headed by Andrew Greet and Jovanka Houska.